Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for extensions of temporary total convalescent ratings following his right knee surgeries in February and July 1995, finding that he did not require at least one month of convalescence due to surgery.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a left knee injury, low back disorder, neck disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and migraine headaches. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues related to PTSD evaluation, increased rating for right knee injury, and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 remain unresolved.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right knee disorders, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10% for his low back disability. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or due to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right knee injury warrant a 60 percent rating, which is higher than the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a disease or injury to the left knee incurred in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder, as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating of 30 percent for residuals of right knee trauma remains unchanged.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability was denied because there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 10, 2000.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and lumbosacral strain disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disorder and assigned a zero percent evaluation, but the veteran believes this rating is too low. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from the VA physician referenced in the veteran's notice of disagreement.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee and hip pain, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and shortening of the left leg, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability warranted a rating of 10 percent prior to September 18, 2000. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating greater than 10 percent is still pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, right hip disability, and a compensable rating for residuals of right thigh injury. The RO is directed to obtain treatment records from private providers and VA Medical Center, provide an appropriate VA examination, and consider whether separate service connection claims should be evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for gout and left knee replacement, but denied service connection for diverticulitis. The veteran's history of gout is considered to have had its clinical onset during service, while the residuals of his left knee replacement are also considered to be due to disease or injury that began in service. Diverticulitis is not supported by evidence showing it was incurred in service.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total right knee replacement and chronic low back strain, are deemed to be so severe that they prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied due to a meniscal tear of the right knee resulting from surgery at a VA hospital in December 1992, and it is determined that the surgery did not cause or aggravate his current condition.